Biology minor is bringing my GPA down

[ChildPsychEnthusiast]

Hi Everyone,
 
My major is in Psychology, and I am minoring in Biology. When I started college I was a Biology and took two biology classes, after taking those two courses I wasn't interested in Biology anymore and wanted to try out other classes so I did. It was during this period I took some Psychology classes and I loved it and I've major in it and am now in my capstone working on my thesis. Last semester, my advisor told me I should minor in Biology since I have passed some Biology couses already. She said it would make me competitive when applying for grad school. Since then I've been accepted into the Mcnair program and have been doing quite well. However, my Biology 202 class has suffered especially when it came to the Exams and quizes. My homework is fine and so is my classwork, but I was unaware just how much materal is involved when studing for these test. This is also the first time I have been in to a program such as Mcnair. It has been a very taxing semester with some family emergencies sprinkled on top.
 
I have a cumulative GPA of 3.42. If I keep my nose to the grindstone, I can earn a B in Biology 202 but worse case I will earn a high C. This is a 4 credit couse so it have significant effect on my GPA. My advisor has advised me to drop my couse and take it next semester stating that the minimum GPA for Grad School is 3.5, but is it really necessary? I have to take 3 more couses to finish this Biology minor so hoped to graduate around 2014. I've been in school taking classes since 2008 and Psychology courses since 2010, so my Financial Aid is not going to help me much longer either.

 

So here are the choices I have:

 

1. Drop this couse and take it next semester ( Can't take Biology 202 with other courses)

2. Finish this semester with a B in Biology 202 (GPA would then be 3.41) and just finish the Biology minor

3. Finish this semester with a C in Biology 202 ( GPA would them be 3.38) and take it again with another Biology course

4. Drop my Biology Minor alltogether, and just finish my thesis with a 3.42 GPA

 

If anyone has any advise I would really appricate it.

The drop date for this couse is Midnight tonight.

 

Thank you for your time!

[grazzle]

I don't think the difference between a 3.38 and a 3.42 should be the reason that you drop a class. However, it does kind of sound like finishing the bio minor will be rough for you even after this class. Maybe you could drop it in favor of a minor that you enjoy?

[ChildPsychEnthusiast]

I don't think the difference between a 3.38 and a 3.42 should be the reason that you drop a class. However, it does kind of sound like finishing the bio minor will be rough for you even after this class. Maybe you could drop it in favor of a minor that you enjoy?

 

FIrst, thank you for reading my post Grazzle. I know its quite long, but I really do appricated the time you took to read my concern.

I've really never thought in minoring in anything else that could add to my Psychology major, I'm just trying my best to look good for Grad School.

Thank you, that is something I will look into.

[midnight]

ChildPsych, if you do drop your bio minor, would you be interested in a minor like neuroscience? The neuro minor at my alma mater integrated both psychology and biology coursework.

[ChildPsychEnthusiast]

ChildPsych, if you do drop your bio minor, would you be interested in a minor like neuroscience? The neuro minor at my alma mater integrated both psychology and biology coursework.

Thank you for your reply Midnight.

I would very much be interested in neuroscience. My advisor suggested Biology because neuroscience is an emerging field. Also I've taken a couple of psychology courses that touched on the subject of neuroscience and really enjoyed them.

[midnight]

Thank you for your reply Midnight.

I would very much be interested in neuroscience. My advisor suggested Biology because neuroscience is an emerging field. Also I've taken a couple of psychology courses that touched on the subject of neuroscience and really enjoyed them.

 

It is really interesting!

 

Perhaps if you decide not to pursue bio further, the bio classes you've already taken can fulfill the bio needed for a neuro minor, but it all depends on your school's requirements, of course.